Pregnant and No Appetite

Updated on February 28, 2008
A.S. asks from Anna, TX
14 answers

I am 8 weeks pregnant. Have no naushea or morning sickness.. I do fine eating in the mornings and fine eating at lunch and snacks throughout the day. But when it comes to dinner I have no appetite(even when my tummy is growling). I even wait to decided what we are having for dinner so I make sure its something I want, but when I sit down to eat I am forcing myself to eat. I tried cutting out my snacks to see if that was a problem but that didn't seem to have any effect on how I feel in the evenings. Now if I stick to a bowl of cereal or something like that I have no problem eating that, but I don't feel like I am eating enough.... Do I just listen to my body and if I don't feel like I can eat then don't or do I force myself to eat?

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice. I feel so much better about this now... I am just going to go with the flow...

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

A. dont worry, if all you want is cereal then eat cereal. No one is going to think badly of you if you dont want a big meal for dinner. I was like this through most of my pregnancy. I lived on cherrios and milk.

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E.W.

answers from Dallas on

I went thru the very same thing when I was pregnant. My first trimester I lost about 20 lbs because nothing ever sounded good and when I did finally decide on something I would only eat a few bites and then be done. Listen to your body, if you can't decide what to eat or just aren't hungry don't worry, you and the baby will be fine.

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

I didn't have a huge appetite in my first trimester with either child (I am pregnant with #2 due in May). I would just eat what you feel like eating. You don't have to eat a huge dinner if you aren't up for that. I will say that I have just now started to be hungry all the time and I am 24 weeks today. Don't worry, your appetite will kick in soon enough. I have only gained 8 lbs. so far, but I have a feeling that's gonna change now that my appetite has picked up! Congrats and don't stress over food or weight gain.

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E.D.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe try eating smaller meals or something like a yogurt.
Talk to your OB.
Take care,
E.

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

I was the same way. My doctor suggested I drink Boost energy drinks. I drank these all through my pregnancy and still do even though she is 8 months. When I don't have time to get a meal in, a Boost is a great alternative.

As long as you are taking your prenatal vitamin and are eating throughout the day, you should be fine. Get some rest while you can. My nausea didn't kick in until I was 10 weeks along and it lasted until I was 16 weeks. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

GL!

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

I would listen to your body. If a bowl of cereal at night is what you can eat, then go with that. Unless you are not gaining weight or not getting a balanced diet, it shouldn't matter. You can also talk to your doctor about it on your next visit if you are really worried about it. Most women have food cravings or just as commonly, food aversions. Just work around it. Your body will let you know when to eat. Your job is to make sure you eat nutritious meals and snacks so that both you and your baby get all the vitamins, minerals, etc. that you need. Congratulations on the new baby and good luck!

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A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I had exactly the same problem when I was first pregnant. I ended up losing 10lbs and getting into deep trouble with my doctor! I just couldn't stand the thought of eating a whole plate of food at dinner time. My solution was to eat small snacks throughout the day to make sure I was getting enough to eat. I ended up having to force myself to eat in the evenings, but would eat smaller portions than normal. And if all I wanted was toast or cereal, that's what I ate. I would also have a snack prior to going to bed at night. As soon as I got into the second trimester everything was fine and my appetite returned. Congrats on the new pregnancy, hope your appetite returns soon!

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

Your body might be trying to tell you that it doesn't want a big, heavy dinner before it goes to bed. Keep snacking from lunch until bed. That is more fun, anyway! Listen to your body it is always right!

T.C.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds kind of normal to me. I'm almost 16 weeks pregnant now and I definitely struggled with eating. Even if I was hungry, I was just sick of food. But for me everything stunk so bad and tasted so weird! I think a lowered appetite is normal. I say do whatever feels right. If you start loosing weight, you might want to start forcing yourself to eat. Or try drinking some water or something...or even just a bowl of cereal. It should get better!

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L.M.

answers from Houston on

Cudos to you on the no nausea or morning sickness! I was sicker than a dog when I was pregnant with my son and couldn't eat at all. I had to force down a glass of water so I'd have something to throw up in the morning. My OB actually sent me to a nutritionist because I was losing so much weight in my first trimester. I was told to eat a bowl of icecream or have a milkshake to add the calories. I personally feel that it's important to eat dinner because of the long stretch of time between lunch and breakfast the next morning, but there's no sense in making yourself sick. Sometimes we actually need to add another small meal. Sounds like your bowl of cereal is working for you. Talk to you doctor, he/she will ultimately have the best advice.

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C.L.

answers from Austin on

Don't force yourself to eat. You'll gain unwanted pounds. Be natural. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full. Even if you're hungry in the middle of the night, get up and eat something sensible.

As long as you're eating sensibly, you should not be worried at all. You should only gain around 24-30 lbs. gaining more is just a sign of no self control unless there is a medical reason, of course.

Talk to your doc. though. Best way!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

During my 1st trimester I did not have much of an appetite either. I never got sick, but nothing ever sounded good. That all changed during my 2nd and 3rd trimester. Keep in mind that the first 3 months are the hardest and you will get your energy and appetite back! I know a lot of people that lost weight during the 1st trimester, so it must be pretty common. Congrats on the new baby!!!!

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A.S.

answers from Sherman on

This is NORMAL!! Most women do not have a very good appetite around this time. That's why you end up losing weight before gaining it. Don't worry as soon as you start your second tri-mester things will drastically change. Congratulations and good luck!!

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A.R.

answers from Amarillo on

I can completely relate to you. Through my last two pregnancies i had no appetite either. I didntdeal with nausea, but i just had no interest in food. when i did eat it tasted all wrong. i love food so i was misserable. i dont think you should worry, as long as you are taking your prenatal vitamins and get plenty of fluid, your baby is not going to suffer. it will get the nutrients it needs from your body first, then what ever is left over your body keeps. I only gained 13 lbs with my second child, and 8 with my third, and my doctor never worried. the babies continued to grow at the normal rates. this may just be a form of morning( evening) sickness, and may pass in a couple of months. good luck and i hope this helps

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